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Updated February 7, 2018 at 2:46 PM;Posted February 6, 2018 at 4:30 PM

An audit gave Cleveland good grades for its handling of a grant of more than $49 million for law enforcement and other security expenses related to the July 2016 Republican National Convention. Auditors cited the city for one minor issue, which was corrected before the final draft of the audit was released.(Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - An audit by the federal government gave Cleveland strong marks for how it handled a Department of Justice grant that provided $49.9 million for security during the 2016 Republican National Convention.

The grant provided support for law enforcement and other security expenses related to the July 2016 convention from October 2015 to March 2017. Auditors cited the city for one minor issue, which was corrected before the final draft of the audit was released.

"While the positive results of the Department of Justice audit may be a surprise to some, it was no surprise to the city of Cleveland, " Mayor Frank Jackson said in a news release Tuesday. "We not only hosted one of the best and safest conventions, but successfully managed a $49 million grant. As a city with a budget of more than $1.7 billion and one that has demonstrated sound financial management, we know how to manage resources."

While the grant allowed spending of up to $49.9 million, the city sought and received reimbursement for about $41.6 million in expenditures. The remaining $8.3 million was unspent. The city attributed the savings personnel costs that ended up being less than initially estimated, according to the report.

Cleveland won praise nationally for its handling of the convention. Locally, the convention is looked to as a key factor in the city's downtown renaissance.

The city's police served as the lead local law enforcement agency for the convention. Its officers, supplemented by about 2,800 officers from across the country, successfully handled day to day security leading up to and through the convention.

During the convention there were no major public safety incidents, no major damage done to public property and no major injuries to police or citizens, the report said.

The audit found Cleveland complied with goals and objectives funded by the grant, submitted proper reports and spent the money properly.

The city initially did not fully comply with Department of Justice requirements that vehicles it purchased with grant money and added to the city's inventory be clearly identified as grant funded, the report said.

The Justice Department recommended corrective action to the city when the problem was discovered. According to the report, the city took the corrective action and the Justice Department considers its recommendations fully implemented.

"Despite concerns from those outside Cleveland, our city put on a flawless convention," City Council President Kevin Kelley said in a news release Tuesday. "Today's results show that our city was successful in our efforts and the selection committee made the right decision in choosing Cleveland as the location for the 2016 Republican National Convention."